Source: Paul Starkey
The link between transport disadvantage and social exclusion, namely the ability to access goods and services in a key public policy concern. Transport is important for building the human capital of the poor by facilitating access to social services such as health, education, clean water and basic administrative services. Of course access to these services is not the only area you must look at in order to have satisfactory service. In terms of education, you also need to ensure that school buildings are provided along with trained and motivated teachers.
The Millennium Development Goals also state that equal access to education is the foundation for all other development goals. Until equal amounts of boys and girls are in school, it will be impossible to build the knowledge necessary to eradicate poverty and hunger, combat disease and ensure environmental sustainability. The goal two goals directly tied into education state:
Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education. Getting to school in rural areas is costly in time, energy and money. Drop out rates are high and attracting and retaining quality teaching staff in rural schools is influenced by accessibility. The distance between home and school, the lack of appropriate, affordable infrastructure and transport services to make the journey, and the time required to do so, are all constraints to this goal. Improved mobility can also relieve the domestic burden that is a barrier to attendance, particularly for girls.
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For contacting the photo source: Paul Starkey - p.h.starkey@reading.ac.uk